Kolkata: Just hours after the inauguration of India’s first Vande Bharat sleeper train, a video showing discarded waste on the floor of the train triggered
widespread outrage on social media and reopened the debate on civic sense among passengers. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday flagged off the Vande Bharat sleeper service from Malda in West Bengal to Guwahati in Assam. The train also connects Howrah with Kamakhya in Assam and is being promoted as a major upgrade in long-distance rail travel. However, soon after the inauguration, videos and reports of littering inside the train began circulating online, raising serious questions about public behaviour.
Read More: PM Modi Launches India’s First Vande Bharat Sleeper on Howrah–Kamakhya Route: Check Stations, Fares
A video that went viral shows empty cups and used spoons lying scattered on the floor of the train. The footage is believed to have been shot on the inaugural day itself.
In the video, the person recording points the camera at the waste and says, “Ye dekh lo aap. Ab ye Railways ki galti hai? Government ki galti hai? Ya khud ki galti hai? (Is it the fault of the Railways or the government, or is it our fault?)”
“Civic sense dekh lo aap,” the user adds, expressing frustration over the condition of the newly launched train.
The video sparked sharp reactions on Reddit. One user wrote, “Where are those people who told me 2-3 days ago in this very sub that the people who will pay more will have more civic sense? Got your answer?”
Another user suggested strict action, saying, “Start sending fines to the PNR users and block them from booking in future. That's the only way to stop such users,” another user wrote on the Reddit post.
The incident has drawn attention to an earlier appeal made by railway officials. Just hours before Prime Minister Modi flagged off the Vande Bharat sleeper train, Indian Railways official Ananth Rupanagudi had urged passengers to maintain proper behaviour on board.
In a post shared on X, Chief Project Manager of Indian Railways Ananth Rupanagudi had said, “Please travel in it only if you have learnt your toilet manners, will obey the instructions given in the washrooms, and have respect for public property. Thanks!”
One more point - civic sense doesn't just lie in having proper toilet manners, sense of cleanliness in public transport or respect for public property - it also lies in having concern for the people travelling with you. #IndianRailways #civicsense https://t.co/FAKfvobWPB
— Ananth Rupanagudi (@Ananth_IRAS) January 17, 2026
Meanwhile, the Vande Bharat Sleeper is being projected as a major step forward for long-distance train travel in India, offering a mix of speed, comfort and modern facilities.
The train has 16 modern coaches with a total passenger capacity of 823. It is designed to operate at speeds of up to 180 kmph and aims to significantly cut travel time between key cities.
